Gettysburg Daily

Gettysburg Licensed Battlefield Guide Tim Smith is the co-author of the book Devil’s Den, A History and Guide from Thomas Publications. He continues our look at Gettysburg Rock Carvings by showing us the most well-known rock carving, “P. Noel.” Little Round Top is in the background. This view was taken facing east at approximately 3:30 PM on Thursday, July 9, 2009.

Gettysburg Licensed Battlefield Guide Tim Smith begins a series on Gettysburg Rock Carvings. Tim is a native of Baltimore, Maryland, and has been a Licensed Battlefield Guide at Gettysburg National Military Park since 1992. Tim is the Research Historian for the Adams County Historical Society, and has written numerous articles, booklets, and books about the Gettysburg area. Tim is the co-author with Gettysburg Licensed Battlefield Guide Garry Adelman of Devil’s Den, A History and Guide.

In our first post, Gettysburg Licensed Battlefield Guide Tim Smith began our tour of Gettysburg Rock Carvings at Devil’s Den. He introduced us to the rock carvings and explained how the government chiseled away many of the rock carvings in 1894.

In our second post Tim showed us more items around the Table Rock area, and how the angle of the sun helps find rock carvings.

In today’s post, Tim Smith shows us the most well-known carving at Devil’s Den, and how some people make sure that they stay at Devil’s Den forever.

This map shows us the locations taken of videos for the Gettysburg Rock Carvings series. Video #1 was taken in the Slaughter Pen. Videos #2 and #3 were taken in the area of the “balancing rock” or “table rock” at Devil’s Den. Video #4 was taken in the passageway underneath the “table rock.” Video #5 was taken on the west side of the Table Rock. Video #6 was taken southwest of the Table Rock. Video #7 was taken near the left flank marker of Smith’s 4th New York Battery. Videos #8 and #9 were taken south of the wooden foot bridge over the “chasm” at Devil’s Den. This map was created facing north at approximately 9:15 AM on Friday, July 17, 2009.

The “P. Noel” rock carving before it was highlighted with yellow chalk… This view was taken facing east at approximately 3:30 PM on Thursday, July 9, 2009.

… and after it was highlighted. This view was taken facing east at approximately 3:30 PM on Thursday, July 9, 2009.

In Video #7 (Videos #1-#6 were shown in our previous Rock Carvings post) Gettysburg Licensed Battlefield Guide Tim Smith explains how his research led to him believe “P. Noel” was a stone carver in the area. He also tells us how others have a more “interesting” version of how the carving originated. This view was taken facing east to north to east at approximately 3:30 PM on Thursday, July 9, 2009.

Gettysburg Licensed Battlefield Guide Tim Smith has now moved to the rocks south of the Devil’s Den foot bridge. This view was taken facing northeast at approximately 3:30 PM on Thursday, July 9, 2009.

In Video #8 Gettysburg Licensed Battlefield Guide Tim Smith shows that even though he has visited Devil’s Den more times than any living person, some people have decided to make Devil’s Den their home even in death. This view was taken facing east at approximately 3:30 PM on Thursday, July 9, 2009.

The crematory ashes and the bits of bone Tim showed us in Video #8. This view was taken facing east at approximately 3:30 PM on Thursday, July 9, 2009.

The original purpose in coming to this group of rocks was to show the carvings for J. Tipton… This view was taken facing northwest at approximately 3:30 PM on Thursday, July 9, 2009.

… and one that was scratched out by the “government chiselers,” but still shows the date of 1888. This view was taken facing southwest at approximately 3:30 PM on Thursday, July 9, 2009.

In Video #9 Licensed Battlefield Guide Tim Smith shows us the J. Tipton carving, and some other carvings in the area of the crematory ashes. This view was taken facing east at approximately 3:30 PM on Thursday, July 9, 2009.

Another rock carving that few people have on their Devil’s Den list is the one Tim is highlighting with yellow chalk… This view was taken facing northwest at approximately 3:30 PM on Thursday, July 9, 2009.

…no last name, just the first name “John.” This view was taken facing northwest at approximately 3:30 PM on Thursday, July 9, 2009.

Tim Smith is the co-author with Gettysburg Licensed Battlefield Guide Garry Adelman of Devil’s Den, A History and Guide. It was first published by Thomas Publications, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania in 1997. This cover was scanned facing south at approximately 8:00 PM on Tuesday, July 14, 2009.

To see other posts by Gettysburg Licensed Battlefield Guides,click here.